U.S. patent number 8,936,584 [Application Number 13/552,139] was granted by the patent office on 2015-01-20 for visually-coordinated absorbent product.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Kristi Jo Bryant, Debra A. Haase, Richard Joseph Hantke, Angela Rae Heck, Sheila Marie Heyrman, Kim Hoertsch, Adrienne Rae Loyd, Jennifer Pozniak, William Grover Reeves, Theodore T. Tower, Garry Roland Woltman, Teresa Marie Zander. Invention is credited to Kristi Jo Bryant, Debra A. Haase, Richard Joseph Hantke, Angela Rae Heck, Sheila Marie Heyrman, Kim Hoertsch, Adrienne Rae Loyd, Jennifer Pozniak, William Grover Reeves, Theodore T. Tower, Garry Roland Woltman, Teresa Marie Zander.
United States Patent |
8,936,584 |
Zander , et al. |
January 20, 2015 |
Visually-coordinated absorbent product
Abstract
A visually-coordinated absorbent product includes an absorbent
article component including a garment side outer cover and a body
side liner, wherein the article component has at least a first and
second visual characteristic, and wherein the first visual
characteristic is different from the second visual characteristic.
The absorbent product also includes a first packaging component
including at least first and second visual characteristics, wherein
first and second visual characteristics of the absorbent article
are coordinated to the first and second visual characteristics of
the packaging component, and wherein at least a portion of one of
the garment side outer cover and the body side liner is configured
with the article component first visual characteristic and at least
a portion of one of the garment side outer cover and the body side
liner is configured with the article component second visual
characteristic.
Inventors: |
Zander; Teresa Marie (Bonduel,
WI), Bryant; Kristi Jo (Appleton, WI), Haase; Debra
A. (Larsen, WI), Heyrman; Sheila Marie (Appleton,
WI), Hoertsch; Kim (Neenah, WI), Loyd; Adrienne Rae
(Neenah, WI), Reeves; William Grover (Appleton, WI),
Woltman; Garry Roland (Greenville, WI), Tower; Theodore
T. (Appleton, WI), Pozniak; Jennifer (Menasha, WI),
Heck; Angela Rae (Appleton, WI), Hantke; Richard Joseph
(Appleton, WI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zander; Teresa Marie
Bryant; Kristi Jo
Haase; Debra A.
Heyrman; Sheila Marie
Hoertsch; Kim
Loyd; Adrienne Rae
Reeves; William Grover
Woltman; Garry Roland
Tower; Theodore T.
Pozniak; Jennifer
Heck; Angela Rae
Hantke; Richard Joseph |
Bonduel
Appleton
Larsen
Appleton
Neenah
Neenah
Appleton
Greenville
Appleton
Menasha
Appleton
Appleton |
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI
WI |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
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Assignee: |
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
(Neenah, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
34711150 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/552,139 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20120283680 A1 |
Nov 8, 2012 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11025645 |
Dec 28, 2004 |
8231590 |
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10749871 |
Dec 30, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.02;
206/457; 604/385.03; 604/385.05; 206/438; 206/458; 206/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
13/51496 (20130101); A61F 13/5514 (20130101); A61F
13/5513 (20130101); A61F 13/551 (20130101); A61F
13/84 (20130101); A47K 10/16 (20130101); A61F
2013/8497 (20130101); A61F 2013/15243 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
13/15 (20060101); A61L 15/00 (20060101); B65D
73/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;604/385.01,385.05,385.02,385.03 ;206/494,457,458,438,812 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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WO |
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Other References
Exhibit A--Digital color photograph of Stayfree.RTM. Maxipad and
packaging available from Johnson & Johnson prior to Dec. 30,
2003. cited by applicant .
Exhibit B--Digital color photograph of Kotex.RTM. pad with peel
strip available from Kimberly-Clark Corp. prior to Dec. 30, 2003.
cited by applicant .
Exhibit C--Digital color photograph of Kotex.RTM. pad available
from Kimberly-Clark Corp. prior to Dec. 30, 2003. cited by
applicant .
Exhibit D--Digital color photograph of Whisper packaging and
absorbent pad distributed in Korea, Japan and Hong Kong by Procter
& Gamble prior to Dec. 30, 2003, and as early as Jul. 2003.
cited by applicant .
Exhibit E--Digital color photograph of Whisper pad and wrap
distributed in Korea, Japan and Hong Kong by Procter & Gamble
prior to Dec. 30, 2003, and as early as Jul. 2003. cited by
applicant .
Exhibit F--Digital color photograph of packaging and absorbent pad
distributed in Korea by Kimberly-Clark Corp. prior to Dec. 30,
2003, and as early as Jan. 2001. cited by applicant .
Exhibit G--Digital color photograph of packaging and absorbent pad
distributed in Korea by Kimberly-Clark Corp. prior to Dec. 30,
2003, and as early as Jan. 2001. cited by applicant .
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published by Prentice Hall PTR, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey,
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Graham, editor, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York,
1965, second printing Oct. 1966, pp. 516-518. cited by applicant
.
Berthon, Pierre et al, "Understanding and Managing the Brand
Space," MIT Sloan Management Review, Winter 2003, EBSCO Publishing,
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applicant .
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applicant .
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Adults", International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, vol. 7,
1991, pp. 133-162. cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Stephens; Jacqueline F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/025,645, filed Dec. 28, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,231,590,
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/749,871, filed Dec. 30, 2003, now abandoned and claims the
benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/749,871.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A visually-coordinated absorbent product comprising: an
absorbent article component comprising a garment side outer cover,
a body side liner, and an absorbent core positioned between the
body side liner and the garment side outer cover, wherein the
article component has at least a first and second visual
characteristic, wherein the first visual characteristic is
different from the second visual characteristic; and a first
packaging component comprising at least first and second visual
characteristics, wherein the first and second visual
characteristics of the absorbent article are coordinated to the
first and second visual characteristics of the first packaging
component, wherein the article component is disposed in the first
packaging component, and wherein at least a portion of one of the
garment side outer cover and the body side liner is configured with
the absorbent component first visual characteristic and at least a
portion of one of the garment side outer cover and the body side
liner is configured with the absorbent component second visual
characteristic.
2. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, further
comprising a second packaging component having the at least the
first packaging component first and second visual characteristics,
wherein the first packaging component is disposed in the second
packaging component.
3. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
the article component further comprises a substrate positioned
between the body side liner and the absorbent core, wherein the
substrate comprises at least one of the article component first or
second visual characteristics.
4. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
the first and second visual characteristics comprise a first color
characteristic and a second color characteristic.
5. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 4, wherein
the first color characteristic comprises white color and wherein
the second color characteristic is a color selected from the group
consisting of black, yellow, orange, purple, green, red, blue and
pink.
6. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 4, wherein
the first color characteristic of the article component has a first
hue and wherein the first color characteristic of the packaging
component has a second hue, wherein the first hue is within about
120.degree. of the second hue.
7. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 6, wherein
the second color characteristic of the article component has a
third hue and wherein the second color characteristic of the
packaging component has a fourth hue, wherein the third hue is
within about 120.degree. of the fourth hue.
8. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 4, wherein
the first color characteristic of the article component has a first
value and wherein the first color characteristic of the packaging
component has a second value, wherein the difference between the
first and second values is within 5% of maximum.
9. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
at least one of the first and second visual characteristics
comprises a pattern characteristic.
10. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
the first visual characteristic comprises a color characteristic
and the second visual characteristic comprises a pattern
characteristic.
11. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 10, wherein
the pattern is formed by printing, embossing, bonding, layering or
aperturing and the color characteristic comprises a hue selected
from the group consisting of yellow, orange, purple, green, red,
and blue.
12. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
the packaging component comprises a non-woven material.
13. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
the garment side outer cover comprises the first and second visual
characteristics.
14. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
the at least one of the first or second visual characteristics
visually is provided by an adhesive used to adhere the absorbent
core to the garment side outer cover.
15. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
the article component comprises a third visual characteristic and
the packaging component comprises the third visual
characteristic.
16. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
one of the first or second visual characteristics comprises a
shape.
17. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
at least one of the visual characteristics is connected to another
sense selected from olfactory or feel.
18. The visually-coordinated absorbent product of claim 1, wherein
at least one visual characteristic comprises texture,
transmittance/opacity, gloss, or sheen.
19. A visually-coordinated absorbent product comprising: an
absorbent article component comprising a body side liner, a garment
side outer cover and an absorbent core disposed between the body
side liner and the garment side outer cover; a first packaging
component having at least first and second visual characteristics,
wherein the article component is disposed in the first packaging
component; a second packaging component having the at least the
first and second visual characteristics, wherein the first
packaging component is disposed in the second packaging component;
and a third packaging component having the at least the first and
second visual characteristics, wherein the second packaging
component is disposed in the third packaging component.
20. A visually-coordinated absorbent product comprising: an
absorbent article component comprising a garment side outer cover,
a body side liner, and an absorbent core positioned between the
body side liner and the garment side outer cover, wherein the
article component has at least a first and second visual
characteristic, wherein the first visual characteristic is
different from the second visual characteristic; and a packaging
component comprising at least first and second visual
characteristics, wherein first and second visual characteristics of
the absorbent component are coordinated to the first and second
visual characteristics of the packaging component, wherein the
article component is disposed in the packaging component, and
wherein at least a portion of one of the body side liner and the
garment side outer cover is configured with the first visual
characteristic of the article component and at least a portion of
the other of the body side liner and the garment side outer cover
is configured with the second visual characteristic of the article
component.
Description
BACKGROUND
Disposable absorbent articles have become an integral part of the
lives of many people. These disposable absorbent articles
contribute to life experiences including shopping experiences and
experiences in restrooms, especially public restrooms. Often these
articles contribute to these experiences in a negative manner. This
negative contribution often begins with the article appearance.
Basing an opinion of an article on first impression can be unfair,
but it is often the norm. From the time a consumer see the article
first advertised to the time that the consumer disposes of the
article, the consumer is generating an opinion about the article
that can be very different from that which is desired by the
manufacture, solely based on the appearance of the disposable
absorbent article.
Typically, the appearance of many disposable absorbent articles
includes a mixture of uncoordinated solid colors that typically
give the disposable absorbent article a sanitary appearance, which
is easily recognized as an absorbent article. For example, a
typical appearance for an incontinent article consists of
combination of a solid white and can be some other solid non-white
color such as blue, pink, green, or yellow. When a non-white color
is used, it often contrasts with the white color. The contrast is
provided to draw attention to some attribute of the articles
function, such as absorbency. The appearance of a solid blue or
green within the pad has been used by companies to denote added
absorbency. Solid pink and yellow have been used but have a
negative connotation reminding the user that they have a problem
due to the association of these colors with bodily fluids like
menses and urine. The use of these combinations of solid colors
generally conveys a message to a consumer of these absorbent
articles that the consumer has a problem. Often, this impression is
reinforced by advertising and use. One of the last things that a
consumer wants to have is the appearance of the article that
advertises to others or reminds them that they have a problem.
Accordingly, a need remains for a disposable absorbent article that
gives an impression of being more than an absorbent but it is an
essential component of a consumers clothing ensemble.
Typically, absorbent articles such as pads or pantiliners include
one or more elements, such as an outer cover, an absorbent core, a
body side liner and peel strip. Such articles are often
individually wrapped in a pouch or similar wrapper, or are wrapped
as a group of articles. A plurality of articles, whether or not
individually wrapped, is also typically sold in bulk packaging,
such as a bag or box. Often, the various elements of the article,
the individual pouch and the bulk packaging are individually
designed without any effort to coordinate their appearance or
aesthetics of the various components. For example, a typical
incontinence pad can be solid white or white with pink or blue
stripes on the body side surface and can have a peel strip with a
print that is pink or blue. The pad is wrapped in a solid white or
solid pink pouch, with the plurality of pouches packaged in a bag
perhaps having some blue or pink coloration. In this way, while
some colors (e.g., white and pink or blue) are used on each of the
components, they do not coordinated between the article and
individual wrapper and/or bulk packaging. As such, the consumer is
not made confident that the overall product, including the pad, the
pouch and/or the packaging, was designed together. Accordingly, a
need remains for an absorbent article that is visually coordinated
with itself or with its packaging so as to invoke an impression
from the user that the individual components, i.e., the absorbent
article and the packaging component, of the absorbent product were
designed together and are of a high quality.
In addition, a consumer might not want others to know that they are
carrying an absorbent article. A consumer might want the article to
be masked or hidden or otherwise disguised. Current pouches achieve
this masking by using a relatively heavy, uniform-micro embossed,
uniform-colored film material that can prevent an observer from
discerning what is contained in the pouch. Such materials can be
relatively expensive. Lighter weight materials, however, are
typically more see-through, thereby allowing observers to discern
the contents of the pouch. Current pouches also appear rectangular
in shape containing linear lines. The combination of the material
and construction can give the wrapped article an appearance easily
recognized by others as an absorbent article. Accordingly, a need
remains in the art for an absorbent article that is visually
coordinated with itself and/or with its packaging, and that is not
discernible through relatively see-through packaging and
rectangular construction of the packaging.
In the case of feminine personal care articles, such as sanitary
napkins and the like, there is a need for absorbent article that
can provide a possible emotional benefit to the user. The menstrual
period is often an inconvenience at best or disabling at worst.
Many women experience both physical and emotional discomfort during
the menstrual period. This discomfort can be exasperated by others
discovering that a user of the feminine care articles is in fact
using feminine personal care articles at a given time. This is
especially a problem in for young women and particularly teenagers.
Generally, sanitary napkins available on the market meet the
physical needs, e.g. absorbency, but provide little, if any,
emotional support for the user during a time of emotional need.
Typical sanitary napkins available on the market have a white color
or a simple combination of colors to provide a sanitary appearance.
As a result, the user of the sanitary napkins is provided with
essentially no emotional benefit by the appearance of the sanitary
napkin. In a similar manner, incontinence can also cause a downturn
in the emotional state of the incontinent person. Therefore, there
is a need in the art to provide a possible emotional benefit to the
users of feminine personal care articles and incontinence
articles.
In addition, many women prefer that items in their lives blend in
or fit into their lives. As a result, many items in a woman's life
are coordinated and/or are matched. Many items in a woman's life
have a feminine flair. One item used in lives of women that is not
matched or coordinated is personal care articles, including
sanitary napkins and incontinence pads. Personal care articles are
generally white in color or have a simple combination of colors,
such as white and one additional color. Available personal care
products are generally not coordinated and often appear to be
masculine. Therefore, there is a need for coordinated personal care
products or personal care products having an overall feminine
flair.
SUMMARY
Briefly stated, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a
visually-coordinated absorbent product includes an absorbent
article component including a garment side outer cover, a body side
liner, and an absorbent core positioned between the body side liner
and the garment side outer cover, wherein the article component has
at least a first and second visual characteristic, wherein the
first visual characteristic is different from the second visual
characteristic. The visually-coordinated absorbent product also
includes a first packaging component including at least first and
second visual characteristics, wherein first and second visual
characteristics of the absorbent article are coordinated to the
first and second visual characteristics of the first packaging
component, wherein the article component is disposed in the first
packaging component, and wherein at least a portion of one of the
garment side outer cover and the body side liner is configured with
the article component first visual characteristic and at least a
portion of one of the garment side outer cover and the body side
liner is configured with the article component second visual
characteristic.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a visually-coordinated
absorbent product includes a first packaging component having at
least first and second visual characteristics, wherein the article
component is disposed in the first packaging component; a second
packaging component having the at least the first and second visual
characteristics, wherein the first packaging component is disposed
in the second packaging component; and a third packaging component
having the at least the first and second visual characteristics,
wherein the second packaging component is disposed in the third
packaging component.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a visually-coordinated
absorbent product includes an absorbent article component including
a garment side outer cover, a body side liner, and an absorbent
core positioned between the body side liner and the garment side
outer cover, wherein the article component has at least a first and
second visual characteristic, wherein the first visual
characteristic is different from the second visual characteristic.
The visually-coordinated absorbent product also includes a
packaging component including at least first and second visual
characteristics, wherein first and second visual characteristics of
the absorbent component are coordinated to the first and second
visual characteristics of the packaging component, wherein the
article component is disposed in the packaging component, and
wherein at least a portion of one of the body side liner and the
garment side outer cover is configured with the first visual
characteristic of the article component and at least a portion of
the other of the body side liner and the garment side outer cover
is configured with the second visual characteristic of the article
component
The various aspects provide significant advantages over other
absorbent products. For example and without limitation, the user is
provided with an impression that the product is of high quality,
and that the product and wrapper were designed together, rather
than piece meal. In addition, the visually coordinated product and
wrapper can provide the user with an emotional benefit, allowing
them to feel more feminine with respect to female absorbent
products, and to feel better about the product they are using. The
visual characteristics can also identify the product for the user,
for example provide source identification. In other aspects, the
coordination of the elements of the absorbent products, or the
coordination of the absorbent product with the wrapper, allows the
manufacturer to use a relatively see-through packaging material
without sacrificing the ability to hide the contents of the
packaging. For example, a relatively light basis weight non-woven
material can be used for the packaging, thereby reducing the
overall costs of the product.
The present disclosure provides for personal care products that can
provide an emotional benefit to the user in a time of need. In this
aspect, the absorbent products and the wrappers for the absorbent
products are matched or coordinated and can be provided with a
feminine flair, through the use of colors, patterns, aromas and
tactile properties, thereby providing a more positive product use
experience.
This disclosure is an absorbent product that is visually
coordinated to a consumer. A product will be visually coordinated
when one or more elements of the product have two or more visual
characteristics that are either matched or are caused to match.
These visual characteristics can be visible patterns of color on
the elements of the product. The color of these patterns can be
described by the value of the hue, saturation, and luminosity. This
color will be determined from the visible spectral and angular
distribution of light coming from an object. The patterns can be
described by their location, extent, shape, and orientation. These
patterns can have smaller patterns contained within them. The
pattern can be the result of the non-uniform chemical composition
of the element like the printing of a pattern of a dye or from the
texture of the element like the embossing of a pattern. The pattern
will be determined from the visible spatial, spectral and angular
distribution of light coming from an object.
Although any element could be involved in the coordination,
preferably one element would be part of each separable element of
the product like one element of the absorbent article and another
element would be part of the packaging. When the packaging consists
of more than one separable element, an element of each separable
element of the packaging would be involved like the wrapper and the
bag. When the article consists of more than one separable element,
an element of each separable element of the article would be
involved like the pad and peel strip. These configuration ties
together those separable elements of the product.
Although any visual characteristic could be involved in the
coordination, desirably the visual characteristic provides an
emotional benefit to a consumer. The characteristic is recognized
by the consumer in a positive emotional sense. When the consumer is
a female, a characteristic that has a feminine flair like a flower
pattern or a pink color would be preferable. The characteristic
that has a discretionary value like a camouflage pattern or a dark
color can be desirable.
Although any visual characteristic could be involved in the
coordination, desirably the visual characteristic is reinforced by
sensory characteristics like tactile and aromatic. When visual
characteristic communicates a feminine flair, the tactile
characteristics would preferably communicate comfort like a silky
feel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is perspective view of a first aspect of an individual
wrapper component.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second aspect of an individual
wrapper component.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an individual packaging component
in an open configuration with an absorbent product component in a
partially unfolded configuration.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an outer packaging component
configured to hold a plurality of product components.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a product component in a partially
folded configuration.
FIG. 6 is a body-side plan view of an exemplary product component
with portion thereof partially cut away.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one aspect of a product component
with a wrapper component.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another aspect of a product
component with a wrapper component.
FIG. 9 is one aspect of a peel strip having a pattern thereon.
FIG. 10 is a portion of one aspect of a packaging component having
a pattern thereon.
FIG. 11 is another aspect of a peel strip having a pattern
thereon.
FIG. 12 is a portion of another aspect of a wrapper component
having a pattern thereon.
FIG. 13 is a schematic graphical illustration of color hue,
luminosity and saturation/vividness.
FIG. 14 shows the translation of a size of a pattern to visual
angle based on distance.
FIGS. 15A and 15B shows an example of an aspect of the present
disclosure wherein the peel strip and wrapper component are
matched.
FIGS. 16A and 16B shows an example of an aspect of the present
disclosure wherein the absorbent article, peel strip and wrapper
component are caused to match.
DEFINITIONS
It should be noted that, when employed in the present disclosure
and claims, the terms "comprises", "comprising" and other
derivatives from the root term "comprise" are intended to be
open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features,
elements, integers, steps, or components, and are not intended to
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.
As used herein, the term "article" or "article component" is used
to describe an item that is to be used by a consumer. For example,
absorbent articles include without limitation diapers, pull-up type
training pant garments, adult incontinence garments, male
incontinence products, tampons, vaginal suppositories, pantiliners,
female incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins, which are sometime
referred to as "personal care articles" or "absorbent personal care
articles". Examples of commercially available personal care
articles include, without limitation, Poise.RTM. adult care
products, including pantiliners and pads, and Kotex.RTM. feminine
care products, including pads, tampons and liners, Depend.RTM.
undergarments, underwear and guards, all available from
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wis. Various exemplary products
are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,765, entitled "Elasticized
Absorbent Pad," and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/392,116,
filed Mar. 19, 2003 and entitled "Multilayer Absorbent Article",
the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. For the purposes of this patent, a separate or
individual peel strip that protects the adhesive is considered to
be a part of the article. If the peel strip also serves as a
wrapper, then the peel strip/wrapper is considered as a packaging
component.
As used herein, the term "packaging" or "packaging component" is
used to describe any items that are associated with the article,
but not used within the absorbency purpose of the article.
Packaging can be any items that are used to transport, store,
protect or hide the article. Examples of packaging include, without
limitation, wrappers, pouches, bags, boxes and the like. Typically,
boxes or bags are placed on store shelves. Generally, these boxes
or bags contain a plurality of absorbent personal care articles.
These items can be referred to as an "outer packaging component".
In addition, packaging can include an inner wrapper or pouch in
which the one or more absorbent personal care articles are placed.
Wrappers and pouches can be referred to as an "inner packaging
component". These wrapper or pouches can be placed into a second
packaging component, such as the outer packaging described
above.
As used herein, the term "product" is used to describe the items
sold or otherwise, provided to a consumer or user. A product
includes an article component and a packaging component.
As used herein, the term "element" is used to describe a separate
or individual component of a product or packaging. Product elements
can include, for example, a liner, an absorbent core, an outer
cover, an attachment system, etc. Packaging elements can include
wrapper materials, pouch materials, bag materials, bag handles,
wrappers, pouches, bags and the like.
As used herein, the term "visual characteristic" is intended to
mean a visible, distinguishing or recognizable feature or attribute
of a visible aspect of one or more elements of the product. Visual
characteristics include color, texture, pattern, form and the
like.
As used herein, the term "visible" is intended to mean attribute of
feature that is visually perceived by an individual user or
consumer. Generally for a consumer or user, the attribute should be
visible in the range of about 0.25 feet (0.075 meters) to about 3
feet (0.91 meters). For a non-consumer or non-user, generally for
an attribute to be visible, the distance should be greater than
about 3 feet (0.91 meters). As used herein, "perceived" or
"perception" is the ability to recognize an attribute or feature
when the visual angle that the attribute or feature subtends is
greater than about 5 minutes of visual arc and less than about 45
minutes of visual arc as determined by the following equation:
Minutes of visual arc=3438*(length of the object/distance from
object) Where Length of the object=size of the object measured
perpendicular to the line of sight Distance from object=distance
from the front of the eye to the object along the line of sight A
minute of visual arc is 1/60.sup.th of 1 degree.
As used herein, the term "color" is intended to mean an
individual's perception of the spectral composition of visible
light coming from a portion of an object. Color characteristics
include hue, saturation and luminosity. Each is a separate color
characteristic. Hue is the attribute of a color that allows it to
be classified as a given color. Saturation, which is sometimes
referred to as vividness, is the intensity of the color. Saturation
is the degree of freedom from gray. Luminosity, sometimes referred
to as value, is the degree of lightness (paleness) or darkness in a
color. For example, a blue with white added is a pale color, e.g.
baby blue and blue with black added is a dark color, e.g. navy
blue. A measurement of hue, saturation and luminosity are described
in more detail below.
As used herein, the term "form" is used to describe an individual's
perception of the spatial variation of visible light due to the
bulk shape and structure of a portion of an object in three
dimensions. Stated another way, form is shape and structure of an
item that distinguishes it from its surrounding that causes a
spatially discontinuous change in light that is transmitted through
or reflected from an item.
As used herein, the term "texture" is used to describe the
individual's perception of the spatial variation of visible light
due to surface structure of a portion of an object in two
dimensions. Textures can be visual effects generated by surface
roughness and visual illusion created by mere color or pattern.
Texture can be the result of the natural characteristics of a given
material as a result of the material formation process. Textures
can also be imparted to a material using techniques known to those
skilled in the art including, for example, printing, embossing,
bonding, aperturing and the like.
As used herein, the term "pattern" is used to describe the
individual's perception of spatial variation of visible light due
to contrasts in spatial variation of light due to the color, form,
and texture of a portion of an object incorporated into the object
by the manufactory of the elements. This contrast creates various
visual distinct regions or lines sometimes referred to as "figures"
within its surrounding sometimes referred to as "ground." Patterns
can be formed by combinations of contrasting color, form, and
texture relative to its surroundings. An element can have more than
one pattern, but each pattern would be distinguishable,
recognizable, and separate from the other patterns on the element.
Pattern is also a term used to describe the observer's perception
of combined effect of more than one color, form, or texture within
a portion of an observer's field of view. Patterns can have a
"length", "extent", "shape", "position" and "orientation". Each is
a pattern characteristic within the scope of the present
disclosure. Length is the perceived distance along the major axis
of the pattern. The "major axis" is the axis of the longest
symmetry. The extent of the pattern is the area of the pattern.
Shape is simply the shape of the pattern. Position is the location
of the pattern relative to its surroundings. And orientation is
position of the major axis of the pattern relative to its
surroundings.
As used herein, the term "match" or "matched" is used to describe
the way or degree two items visually fit together or are caused to
fit together. For example, two items are considered matched if some
aspects of one of the items are identical to similar aspects of
another item. In one form of match, two items that resemble each
other are said to match.
As used herein, the term "coordinate" or "coordination" is used to
describe how two components or elements of the overall personal
care product visually belong together. Visual characteristics are
said to coordinate if one aspect of the visual characteristic is
the same or falls within limits described with this specification.
Components or elements are considered to be coordinated if they
match, or are caused to match. Colors can be coordinated if they
have a hue, luminosity or saturation that match within limits
described below.
As used herein, the term "caused to match" is used to describe how
two components are made to appear matched one another by using a
coordinating feature on an element of one or more of the components
that has visual characteristic that tie two other elements
together. For example, if two elements of a personal care product
each have a visual characteristic that are different and a third
element has visual characteristics that match each of the visual
characteristics of the two elements, the third element causes the
two elements to be matched to one another.
As used herein, the term "nonwoven fabric or web" means a web
having a structure of individual fibers or threads that are
interlaid, but not in a regular or identifiable manner as in a
knitted or woven fabric. The term also includes individual
filaments and strands, yarns or tows as well as foams and films
that have been fibrillated, apertured, or otherwise treated to
impart fabric-like properties. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been
formed from many processes such as for example, meltblowing
processes, spunbonding processes, airlaying processes and bonded
carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is
usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or
grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters useful are
usually expressed in microns. (Note that to convert from osy to
gsm, multiply osy by 33.91).
As used herein, the term "polymer" generally includes but is not
limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block,
graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and
blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise
specifically limited, the term "polymer" shall include all possible
geometrical configuration of the material. These configurations
include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and random
symmetries.
The term "body side" should not be interpreted to mean in contact
with the body of the user, but rather simply means the side that
would face toward the body of the user, regardless of whether an
undergarment is actually being worn by the user and regardless of
whether there are or can be intervening layers between the
component and the body of the user. Likewise, the term "garment
side" should not be interpreted to mean in contact with the
garments of the user, but rather simply means the side that faces
away from the body of the user, and therefore toward any outer
garments that can be worn by the user, regardless of whether the
undergarment is actually being worn by a user, regardless of
whether any such outer garments are actually worn and regardless of
whether there can be intervening layers between the component and
any outer garment.
The phrases "removably attached," "removably attaching," "removably
connected," "removably engaged," "releasably attached," "releasably
connected," or "releasably engaged," and variations thereof, refers
to two or more elements being connected or connectable such that
the elements tend to remain connected absent a separation force
applied to one, both or all of the elements, and where the elements
are capable of being separated upon the application of a separation
force. The required separation force is typically beyond that
encountered while wearing the absorbent garment.
The phrases "fixedly secured," "fixedly engaged," "fixedly
attached," "fixedly connected," and variations thereof, refers to
two or more elements being connected or connectable such that they
are not disconnected or otherwise separated, and are not intended
to be separated or disconnected by the end user, during the normal
operation and use of the absorbent garment. Moreover, the
separation of two elements being so connected is likely to damage
or make unusable at least one of the two elements.
The terms "connecting," "coupled," "attached," and "secured," and
variations thereof, broadly covers two or more items being directly
connected one to the other, or by way of one or more intervening
members or components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure provides a visually coordinated disposable
absorbent product. The disposable absorbent product has at least
two elements that have at least one visual characteristic in common
with the other element. In one aspect of the present disclosure,
provided is a visually-coordinated absorbent product having at
least a first element and a second element. Each element has at
least a first and second visual characteristic, wherein the first
and second visual characteristics are different from each other. In
addition, the first and second visual characteristic of the first
element are matched to the first and second visual characteristics
of the second element. More than two elements can have visual
characteristic that are matched and there can also be more than two
visual characteristics that can be matched. In another aspect of
the present disclosure, provided is a visually-coordinated
absorbent product having at least a first element, a second element
and a third element. The first element has at least a first and
second visual characteristic, the second element has at least one
visual characteristic that is matched to the first visual
characteristic of the first element and the third element has at
least one visual characteristic that is matched to the second
visual characteristic of the first element. By having the first
element with a visual characteristic of the other elements, the
first element causes the second and third elements to be matched.
It is noted that more than three elements can be caused to match.
Each element can have more than one matched visual
characteristic.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, generally a visually
coordinated disposable absorbent product has an absorbent article
component and a packaging component. At least one element of each
of the components are matched or caused to be matched to at least
one element of the other component, or in the aspect of color, have
a hue, luminosity or saturation within limits described below. It
has been discovered that providing a coordinated absorbent article
and packing component, many advantages can be obtained, including
cost saving for the pouch material, improved discretion for the
users of the absorbent articles since the coordination tends to
camouflage the absorbent articles in packaging components.
In addition, the present disclosure provides for products with a
theme, such as femininity, which are more aesthetically pleasing to
a user and that can provide for an emotional benefit to the user.
The article component has at least a first and second visual
characteristic, wherein the first visual characteristic is
different from the second visual characteristic. The article
component is disposed in a packaging component having at least the
first and second visual characteristics.
Disposable absorbent articles such as, for example, feminine care
and incontinent absorbent articles, generally include a liquid
pervious topsheet, a substantially liquid impervious backsheet, and
an absorbent core positioned and held between the topsheet and the
backsheet. The topsheet is generally operatively permeable to the
liquids that are intended to be held or stored by the absorbent
article, and the backsheet can be substantially impermeable or
otherwise operatively impermeable to the liquids intended to be
held or stored. Disposable absorbent articles can also include
other optional components or layers, such as liquid wicking layers,
liquid distribution layers, barrier layers, and the like, as well
as combinations thereof, that can improve the fluid handling and
storage properties of the disposable absorbent article. Generally,
disposable absorbent articles and the components thereof provide a
body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. As an
alternative, the substantially liquid impervious backsheet can be
replaced with a liquid pervious backsheet. When a liquid pervious
backsheet is used, generally the absorbent personal care article
can be used in conjunction with another liquid impervious layer or
article, such as liquid impervious pants.
To obtain a better understanding of the absorbent articles of the
present disclosure, that can be present in a wrapper component as
the packaging component, attention is directed to FIGS. 5 and 6. In
FIGS. 5 and 6, an exemplary absorbent article 10 is shown as
including an outer cover 46 (otherwise referred to as a baffle or
backsheet), an absorbent core 48, an optional tissue layer 6, an
optional surge layer or optional distribution layer 4 and a body
side liner 44 (also referred to as the top sheet). The absorbent
article 10 also has a first side 16 and a second side 18. The first
and second sides 16, 18, respectively, are the longitudinal sides
of the elongated absorbent article. The sides can be contoured, for
example in a concave shape, or they can be linear. The sides can
further include flaps (not shown) that extend laterally outward.
Flaps are known in the art are shown in, for example U.S. Pat. No.
6,387,084 issued to VanGompel et al., which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety. In one aspect (not shown), one or
more elastic elements are disposed along the sides to form a gasket
with the body of the user. Elastic sides are known in the art, as
is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,765 issued to Datta et al., which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In one aspect,
the elastic elements are disposed between the body side liner and
the outer cover.
The absorbent article 10 has a first body facing surface 20 that
usually includes the outer surface of the body side liner 44, and a
second garment facing side surface 22 that usually contains an
outer portion of the outer cover 46. Applied to at least a portion
of the second garment side surface 22 is a garment attachment
adhesive. In various aspects, the garment attachment adhesive is
configured as a single band of adhesive or as two or more spaced
apart strips. Alternatively, the garment attachment adhesive
includes a swirl pattern of adhesive that encompasses a major
portion of the second garment facing surface 22 of the absorbent
article 10.
A release strip 28, also known as a releasable peel strip, is
removably secured to the garment attachment adhesive and serves to
prevent premature contamination of the adhesive before the
absorbent article 10 is secured to the crotch portion of an
undergarment. In various aspects, the garment attachment adhesive
is designed to be secured to the inner crotch portion of an
undergarment so as to keep the absorbent article in register with
the body of the user. The release strip 28 can extend beyond one or
both of the ends 12, 14 of the outer cover, as shown in FIG. 6. As
an alternative, the release strip can be shorter than the ends of
the outer cover 12 and 14, as shown in FIG. 5. Generally, the only
requirement for the length of the release strip 28 is that the
release strip covers the garment adhesive often present on the
outer cover 46.
The body side liner or topsheet 44, which is preferably liquid
permeable, can be formed from one or more materials. The body side
liner or topsheet 44 must be able to manage different body
excretions depending on the type of article. In feminine care
articles, often the body side liner or body contacting layer must
be able to handle menses and urine. In the present disclosure, the
body side liner or topsheet 44 can include a layer constructed of
any operative material, and can be a composite material. For
example, the liner or body contacting layer can include a woven
fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a polymer film, a film-nonwoven fabric
laminate or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of
a nonwoven fabric useable in the body side liner or topsheet 44
include, for example, an airlaid nonwoven web, spunbond nonwoven
web, meltblown nonwoven web, a bonded-carded-web, hydroentangled
nonwoven webs, spunlace webs or the like, as well as combinations
thereof. Other examples of suitable materials for constructing the
body side liner or topsheet 44 can include rayon, bonded carded
webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other
heat-bondable fibers finely perforated film webs, net-like
materials, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. These
webs can be prepared from polymeric materials such as, for example,
polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene and copolymers
thereof, polyesters in general including aliphatic esters such as
polylactic acid, nylon or any other heat bondable materials.
Other examples of suitable materials for the body side liner or
topsheet 44 are composite materials of a polymer and a nonwoven
fabric material. The composite materials are typically in the form
of integral sheets generally formed by the extrusion of a polymer
onto a nonwoven web, such as a spunbond material. In a desired
arrangement, the body side liner or body contacting layer 44 can be
configured to be operatively liquid-permeable with regard to the
liquids that the article is intended to absorb or otherwise handle.
The operative liquid-permeability can, for example, be provided by
a plurality of pores, perforations, apertures or other openings, as
well as combinations thereof, that are present or formed in the
liner or body contacting layer. The apertures or other openings can
help increase the rate at which bodily liquids can move through the
thickness of the body side liner or body contacting layer and
penetrate into the other components of the article (e.g., into the
absorbent core 48). The selected arrangement of liquid-permeability
is desirably present at least on an operative portion of the body
side liner or topsheet 44 that is appointed for placement on the
body-side of the article. The body side liner or topsheet 44 can
provide comfort and conformability, and can function to direct
bodily exudates away from the body and toward the absorbent core
48. The body side liner or topsheet 44 can be configured to retain
little or no liquid in its structure, and can be configured to
provide a relatively comfortable and non-irritating surface next to
the body-tissue of a wearer.
The baffle or backsheet 46 can include a layer constructed of any
operative material, and can have a selected level of
liquid-permeability or liquid-impermeability, as desired. In a
particular configuration, the baffle or backsheet 46 can be
configured to provide an operatively liquid-impermeable baffle
structure. The baffle or backsheet 46 can, for example, include a
polymeric film, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric or the like, as
well as combinations or composites thereof. For example, the baffle
can include a polymer film laminated to a woven or nonwoven fabric.
In a particular feature, the polymer film can be composed of
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or the like, as well as
combinations thereof. Additionally, the polymer film can be
micro-embossed, have a printed design, have a printed message to
the consumer, and/or can be at least partially colored. Suitably,
the baffle or backsheet 46 can operatively permit a sufficient
passage of air and moisture vapor out of the article, particularly
out of an absorbent (e.g. storage or absorbent core 48) while
blocking the passage of bodily liquids. An example of a suitable
baffle material can include a breathable, microporous film, such as
those described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,900 to
McCormack et al.
Bicomponent films or other multi-component films can also be used,
as well as woven and/or nonwoven fabrics that have been treated to
render them operatively liquid-impermeable. Other suitable baffle
materials can be used, including closed cell polyolefin foams. For
example, closed cell polyethylene foam can be employed.
The liquid permeable body side liner 44 and the liquid-impermeable
baffle 46 can be peripherally sealed together to enclose the
absorbent core 48 to form the absorbent article 10. Alternatively,
the body side liner or topsheet 44 can be wrapped around both the
absorbent 48 and the baffle or backsheet 46 to form a wrapped pad.
The body side liner 44 and baffle 46, and other components of the
absorbent article, can be joined for example with adhesive bonds,
ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pinning, stitching or any other
attachment techniques known in the art, as well as combinations
thereof.
The absorbent core 48 is designed to absorb body exudates,
including menstrual fluid, blood, urine, and other body fluids. The
absorbent core 48 can contain one or more layers of absorbent
material. The layers can contain similar materials or different
materials. Suitable materials for the absorbent core 48 include,
for example, cellulose, wood pulp fluff, rayon, cotton, and
meltblown polymers such as polyester, polypropylene or coform.
Coform is a meltblown air-formed combination of meltblown polymers,
such as polypropylene, and absorbent staple fibers, such as
cellulose. A preferred material is wood pulp fluff for its low
cost, relative ease of formation and good absorbent properties.
The absorbent core 48 can also be formed from a composite comprised
of a hydrophilic material that can be formed from various natural
or synthetic fibers, wood pulp fibers, regenerated cellulose or
cotton fibers, or a blend of pulp and other fibers. A desired
material is an airlaid material.
In one aspect, the absorbent core 48 also includes a superabsorbent
material, in addition to or in place of the hydrophilic material,
that increases the ability of the absorbent core to absorb a large
amount of fluid in relation to its own weight. Generally stated,
the superabsorbent material can be a water-swellable, generally
water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material that
is capable of absorbing at least about 15, suitably about 30, and
possibly about 60 times or more its weight in physiological saline
(e.g. saline with 0.9 wt % NaCl). The superabsorbent materials can
be inserted as particles or in sheet form. The superabsorbent
material can be biodegradable or bipolar. The hydrogel-forming
polymeric absorbent material can be formed from organic
hydrogel-forming polymeric material, which can include natural
material such as agar, pectin, and guar gum; modified natural
materials such as carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose,
and hydroxypropyl cellulose; and synthetic hydrogel-forming
polymers. Synthetic hydrogel-forming polymers include, for example,
alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl
alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, polyvinyl ethers,
polyvinyl morpholinone, polymers and copolymers of vinyl sulfonic
acid, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl pyridine, and the
like. Other suitable hydrogel-forming polymers include hydrolyzed
acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, and
isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymers and mixtures thereof. The
hydrogel-forming polymers can be lightly crosslinked to render the
material substantially water insoluble. Crosslinking can, for
example, be by irradiation or covalent, ionic, Van der Waals, or
hydrogen bonding. Hydroxyfunctional polymers have been found to be
good superabsorbents for sanitary napkins. Such superabsorbents are
commercially available from Dow Chemical, Hoechst-Celanese, and
Stockhausen, Incorporated, among others, and are a partially
neutralized salt of cross-linked copolymer of polyacrylic acid and
polyvinyl alcohol having an absorbency under load value above 25
grams of absorbed liquid per gram of absorbent material (g/g).
Other types of superabsorbent materials known to those skilled in
the art can also be used.
Additional layers or substrates, including for example, the liquid
acquisition and distribution layer 4, also referred to as a surge
or transfer layer, and an optional tissue layer 6 are also
incorporated into the absorbent article, for example, between the
body side liner or topsheet 44 and the absorbent core 48. The
distribution layer 4 can be shorter than the absorbent core 48 or
have the same length as the absorbent core 48. The distribution
layer serves to temporarily hold an insulting fluid to allow the
absorbent core sufficient time to absorb the fluid, especially when
a superabsorbent material is present. In one aspect, the absorbent
core, distribution layer and other components, such as tissue
layers, are free floating (unattached) between the outer cover and
the liner, which are secured along only the peripheral edges
thereof. Alternatively, the absorbent core, transfer layer and
other components are attached to one or both of the outer cover and
liner and/or to each other.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the absorbent article 10 is shown in
a folded configuration. For example, the absorbent article can be
folded along a pair of fold lines 30, 32 to form a tri-fold
configuration. In other aspects, the absorbent article can be
bi-folded, flat or rolled. The absorbent article is then inserted
into an individual packaging component, otherwise referred to as an
inner wrapper component, a wrapper or pouch. Alternatively, a
plurality (meaning two or more) of article components can be
disposed in a single pouch, and a plurality of pouches can be
disposed in a package (shown in FIG. 4), otherwise referred to as
an outer packaging component. One article/packaging configuration
is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,706 to McManus, which is hereby
incorporated by reference. The articles can be oriented in various
ways within the individual packaging component, for example with
the fold lines 30, 32 running parallel or perpendicular to the
sides of the packaging component 68, 70.
In one aspect, the wrapper component is formed as a portion of the
article component. For example, an outer cover, such as the baffle
material, can form a packaging component, as shown for example in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,430, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference. It should be understood that in these aspects, the
article component is considered to be disposed in the packaging
component when the packaging element is sealed or otherwise closed.
In other aspects, the article component is rolled, with a flap
portion of a packaging component overlying a panel portion of the
packaging component, regardless of whether the packaging component
is integral with the article component or separate therefrom.
Although the wrapper component can have different configurations or
can be prepared in other ways without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the wrapper
component can have pouch 50 formed from a strip or web 52 of
material having a first and second ends having free edge 54, 56. It
should be understood that the term "free edge" refers to an edge
that is unattached after the package component is opened,
regardless of whether the free edge is attached when the package
component is closed. Accordingly, one or both of the free edges can
be formed along a perforation line, or can be adhered to an
underlying layer, with the edge defined by the perforation line
being a "free edge" after the perforation line is broken. The free
edge can be a single layer cut or formed edge, or can include a
double-layer folded edge, or can include an edge formed by a
plurality of layers. The pouch material can be formed from a
non-woven material, films, paper, laminates, and/or cloth
(including woven) materials, and combinations thereof. For example,
the pouch can be made as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,203, to
Sorebo et al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. In one aspect, the pouch is made
of a film/spunbond laminate material available from Kimberly-Clark
Corp, and known as HBSTL ("highly breathable stretch thermal
laminate"), and which material is further disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,276,032, to Nortman et al., the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference. Various aspects of a
non-woven pouch material can have a basis weight less than about 50
gsm, alternatively between about 10 gsm and about 40 gsm.
Each of the first and second ends is folded along fold lines 58, 60
that define the top and bottom edge of the pouch respectively. The
folded pouch has a back panel 62, a first panel 64 and a second
panel 66. The first panel 64 and back panel 62 are secured along
side edges 68, 70 thereof to form a pocket shaped to receive the
absorbent article. In one aspect, the pocket and pouch are shaped
and dimensioned to receive a single article component, which is
individually wrapped in the pouch. The second panel 66 is folded
over the first panel 64 such that the free edge 54 of the second
panel overlies the first panel 64. In this configuration, the
second panel 66 acts as a flap. The first panel 64 has a covered or
overlap portion 57 extending between the free edge 54 (exterior)
and the free edge 56 (interior), which covered or overlapped
portion 57 underlies the second panel. In one aspect, there is no
overlap, rather, the free edges 54, 56 abut or are separated by a
small distance. In one example, the portion 57 has a length of
about 0 about 50 mm, generally about 2-22 mm and typically about
4-10 mm between the free edges 54, 56. In various aspects, the
overlap distance is less than or equal to about 95% of the overall
packaging component length in a closed configuration, more
desirable less than or equal to about 35% of the packaging
component length, and more desirably less than or equal to about
20% of the packaging component length. In various aspects, the free
edge 54 is positioned a distance from either edge 58, 60 that is
greater than or equal to about 10% of the overall length of the
packaging component (in a closed configuration), more desirably
greater than or equal to about 30%, and more desirably about 50% of
the packaging component length. The first panel further includes an
uncovered second portion 59 extending between the free edge 54 and
the bottom edge 58. Of course, it should be understood that the
length and width of the article and packaging components can vary
according to the type of article and the size of the article.
As an alternative to having the free edge 54 of the second panel 66
overlap the first panel, the wrapper component can be designed such
that there is no overlap between the free edge 54 and the first
panel 64, without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. For example, the free edges 54, 56 can abut each other
or are separated by a small distance such that there is a gap
between the free edges (not shown). As such, in this alternative,
the second panel is defined merely as another panel.
A pair of side seals 74 secures the first panel 64 to the back 62,
and the second panel 66 to the back 62 and to the first panel 64.
The side seals are desirably formed after the first panel is folded
over the back panel and the second panel is folded over the back
panel and the first panel. Although, it is possible that the first
panel could first be sealed to the back panel, and the second panel
then sealed to one or both of the back panel and first panel. In an
alternative configuration, the second panel is not sealed at the
side edges of the first panel and back panel. This aspect is
described in more detail below. The sides can be sealed by any
method known to those skilled in the art. Exemplary sealing methods
include, for example, adhesive sealing, bonding by the application
of heat and pressure, ultrasonic bonding or any other art known
bonding methods. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the side
seals 74 can be frangible, meaning they can be easily broken such
that the second panel 66 can be separated from the first panel 64
and back panel 62, and such that the first panel 64 can be easily
separated from the back panel 62, wherein the product component 10
is exposed for removal from the pouch by the user.
In one aspect, the second panel 66 is releasably secured to the
first panel 64. For example, a fastening element 72, shown as a tab
in FIGS. 1 and 2, is secured across the free edge 54 of the second
panel 66 to secure the second panel 66 to the first panel 64. The
fastening element can be releasably secured to both of the second
panel and first panel, or it can be fixedly secured to one of the
second panel and first panel and releasably secured to the other.
Other possible configuration include that the fastening element is
fixedly secured to both panels and one or both of the panels is
provided with an area of weakness, such as a perforated area, which
allows a portion of one or both of the panels to be removed or
damaged when the wrapper is opened. The fastening element can be
formed as adhesive tape, a snap, a button, a mechanical fastener
(e.g., hook and loop), a tie, or as any other device known by those
skilled in the art. The fastening element can have various
alternative shapes, including but not limited to a square,
rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, obround, oblong or diamond
shape, or any other irregular shape or pattern. In an alternative
aspect, the fastening element is formed on the inside of the second
panel such that it engages the first panel as the second panel is
folded thereover and is not visible to the user. For example, the
fastening of the second panel 66 to the first panel 64 can be
accomplished by the use of an adhesive applied to the side of the
second panel 66 that contacts the first panel 64, to the side of
the first panel 64 that contacts the second panel 66, or both. This
adhesive can be applied as a ribbon, dot, a swirl pattern or any
other pattern that effectively adheres the second panel 66 to the
first panel 64. In another alternative way to fasten the second
panel 66 to the first panel 64, the second panel 66 is simply
sealed to the first panel 64 with a heat seal or other weld, with
the weld defining the fastening element. In another aspect, the
second panel 66 is not sealed or otherwise attached to the first
panel 64, but rather is simply folded thereover. Alternatively, the
sides of the second panel are sealed to the back panel and to the
first panel, with the side seals being breakable in response to a
user grasping and lifting the second panel. It is within the scope
of the present disclosure that the sensory cue could be located on
the fastening element.
In some aspects, the second panel 66 is refastenably secured to the
first panel 64, while in other aspects, the second panel is not
intended to be secured to the first panel once the packaging
component is opened. For example, in one aspect, the free edge 54
of the second panel 66 is defined by a perforation line, with the
second panel not being refastenable after the perforation is
broken.
Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of absorbent articles 10, whether
individually wrapped as shown in FIGS. 1-3, or left unwrapped, are
packaged in an outer packaging or bulk packaging component 76,
meaning a component capable of holding two or more absorbent
articles. The outer or bulk packaging component 76 is typically the
packaging used to provide the absorbent products to consumers on
store shelves. The outer or bulk packaging typically provided
consumers with a convenient means to transport the absorbent
articles from the retailer to their home or other place of use. In
one aspect, the packaging component is formed as a bag having at
least one side seal 78 securing a pair of edges of the bag
together. In other aspects, the plurality of absorbent articles is
packaged in a box or carton. The bags can be prepared from a
non-woven material, polymer film, paper, laminate, and/or cloth
(including woven) materials, and combinations thereof. Boxes or
cartons can be prepared from materials such as cardboard,
paperboard and the like.
In the present disclosure, the personal care product can have a
packaging component and absorbent article component that are
coordinated with each other. Coordination can be achieved using
certain combinations of visual characteristics that unite or
harmonize the appearance of an absorbent personal care article with
a packaging component. Coordination can be achieved by matching
visual characteristics of the packaging and article components or
by causing the components to be matched. As described above, visual
characteristics are features or characteristics that are
discernible by sight during the normal use of the product. Examples
of different types of visual characteristics, that can be employed
in the present disclosure include, without limitation, color, form,
texture, pattern, transmittance/opacity, gloss, and sheen, among
others.
Of the visual characteristics, color is a characteristic that is
simple to quantify. Colors have some basic characteristics,
including hue, saturation, and luminosity. Each of these terms is
described above. A given color can be varied by changing the
saturation and luminosity. Saturation is changed by adding a
neutral color, black, white, or gray. Luminosity can be changed by
adding a brightener to a given color. Again, each of these terms is
defined above. In the present disclosure, if two colors have the
same hue, whether or not they are different in saturation or
luminosity, the two colors are considered coordinated. Likewise, if
two colors have the same saturation or the same luminosity, the
colors are considered to be coordinated. Colors that have the same
hue, saturation and luminosity are considered matched. Color can be
imparted by any means know to those skilled in the art, including,
for example, printing, dyeing, pigmenting and the like.
Form can be accomplished by techniques know to those skilled in the
art. Form can be construed on the simplest scale as shape. Shape
can be imparted to the components by know methods such as cutting
and the like. By using the term "shape" in this context, it is
intended that the outline, edges and the like have a shape in
addition to a linear outline. Generally, shapes are considered the
same if the aspects of one shape are proportional to another shape.
For example, in the case of a triangle, if all the angles are
identical in two different triangles, but the sides are different
in length, the two triangles are considered to be coordinated since
they have the same proportions relative to each other. Stated
another way, shapes are considered to be coordinated if the shapes
are the same or are proportional to each other. In the present
disclosure, the shape or form of the wrapper or some aspect of the
wrapper, for example the second panel or opening, could have a
shape associated with one or more elements of the article
component, for example the shapes of the ends of the peel
strip.
Textures can be visual effects generated by rough surfaces, and or
differences in the surface characteristics, or visual illusions
created by mere color or pattern. Texture can be the result of the
natural characteristics of a given material as a result of the
material formation process. Textures can also be imparted to a
material using known techniques known to those skilled in the art
including, for example, printing, embossing, bonding, aperturing
and the like.
One or more objects, one or more geometric and non-geometric shapes
and/or one or more colors having some relationship with one another
can achieve patterns. Patterns can be random or repeating.
Repeating patterns typically have objects, shapes, colors in a
given frequency or spacing. Patterns can be achieved by repeating a
single object, or shape or can be achieved by repeating multiple
objects or shapes. Repeating or alternating two or more colors with
a given frequency can also create patterns. Patterns can be formed
by using techniques including, for example, printing, embossing,
bonding, aperturing and the like.
Any known printing method can be used so long as a pattern or a
texture can be imparted to the surface being printed. Embossing can
be accomplished, for example, by passing a material between a
heated or non-heated anvil roll and a heated or non-heated
embossing roll, with the embossing roll containing a pattern. Other
techniques for imparting patterns or texture include, for example,
aperturing, creating layers, orientation of materials, bonding
patterns and the like. Texture can also be created by selection of
materials having the same or similar visual characteristic, beyond
color, and patterns imposed on the material.
Other visual characteristics that can be used in the present
disclosure include, for example, transmittance/opacity, gloss, and
sheen of the materials used to produce the components.
In the simplest form of the present disclosure, the
visually-coordinated absorbent product has at least a first element
and a second element, each element comprises at least a first and
second visual characteristic, wherein the first and second visual
characteristics are different from each other and the first and
second visual characteristic of the first element are matched to
the first and second visual characteristics of the second element.
As an example, a wrapper component has a pattern of purple printed
flowers thereon and an element of the absorbent article, for
example the peel strip or the baffle can have the same pattern of
purple flowers printed thereon. The pattern of flowers is a first
visual characteristic and the purple hue of the flowers is a second
visual characteristic. As a result, the absorbent article is
coordinated with the packaging component due to the presence of the
pattern of purple flowers on both components. Coordination of the
product in the present disclosure is obtained by having two or more
components with two or more visual characteristics that match, or
caused to match one another. While the present specification
describes the disclosure in terms of first and second visual
characteristics, this does not mean that there cannot be more than
two visual characteristics creating the desired coordination
affect. In fact, the more shared visual characteristic there are,
the more items appear to be coordinated. In the present disclosure,
there can be two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or
more visual characteristic that are coordinated. In one aspect of
the present disclosure, there are at least six visual
characteristics that are coordinated, and desirably at least nine
characteristics that are coordinated.
As is set forth above, the first and second visual characteristics
must be different in some aspect. It is possible for the visual
characteristics to be two different colors, a color and a pattern,
a texture and a color, a texture and a pattern, two different
patterns, two different textures and the like. If there are three
characteristics that are different, then there could be two
different colors and a pattern; three different colors; a color, a
pattern and a texture; among many other combinations.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, white is generally not
considered as a color is used as the coordinating feature if white
is a predominate color on the element being coordinated. This is
because white is the predominate color of personal care articles
white do not lend itself as a coordinating color. However, white
can be a coordinating color, provided that it is not used as the
predominate color on the components or surfaces being coordinated.
Stated another way, white can be a coordinating color if it is used
as an accent or a non-dominate color. By "non-dominate color" it is
intended mean a color that encompasses less than 50%, desirable
less that 30%, of the surface area of a surface. Most desirably,
white is not used as a coordinating color.
As explained above, in one aspect, the first and second visual
characteristics can be configured as first and second colors.
Desirably, each of the first and second colors is different from
one another by having a different hue. One or more colors can also
be different by virtue of having a different luminosity and/or
saturation/vividness. Saturation/vividness is the intensity of the
color from pale to dark. Colors of different hues can be
coordinated or match by virtue of having the same luminosity or
saturation. For example, pale or pastel colors of different hues
tend to blend together or appear that they belong together or are
matched due to the fact that the saturation levels are similar.
Other factors in color differences include different finishes e.g.
gloss/finish verses a matte finish. Matte finishes tend to diffuse
or scatter light compared to a gloss finish, which is specular.
At the same time, the first color of the personal care article
component, such as the absorbent article, can be coordinated with
the first color of one or both of the packaging components. In one
aspect, the second color of the personal care article component,
such as the absorbent article, is also coordinated with the second
color of one or both of the packaging components. The coordination
of the colors is most desirable at distances of less than two feet,
such that it is visible to the user of the article. At the same
time, the coordination can provide a disguising aspect that is
effective for an observer who is greater than 2 to 3 feet away from
the article.
Referring to FIG. 13, hue is measured by the angular position
around the circle 110. Two colors are considered coordinated if
they have first and second hues that are within about .+-.120
degrees of each other on the circle 13, alternatively within .+-.30
degrees, alternatively within .+-.15 degrees, alternatively within
.+-.10 degrees, alternatively within .+-.5 degrees of each other,
or alternatively within .+-.0.50 degrees of each other. Colors of
different hues are also considered coordinated if they have a value
(luminosity) difference of less than about 5% of maximum,
alternatively less than about 3.0% of maximum or alternatively less
than about 1% of maximum. Colors of different hues are also
considered coordinated if they have a saturation difference of less
than about 5% of maximum, alternatively less than about 3.0% of
maximum or alternatively less than about 2.5% of maximum.
The hue, luminosity and saturation/vividness are measured as
follows using the following equipment calibrated in the following
way.
Equipment
Quantitative colorimetric measurements are typically made using a
colorimeter or spectrophotometer. However, these instruments
typically have large apertures (.about.1 cm) requiring a large
color block for meaningful determination, making them unsuitable
for color determination of graphics that can be composed of narrow
lines or points whose width is much less than the instrument
aperture. Therefore, a Zeiss KS400 Image Analysis system was used
for feature identification and colorimetric measurement.
The Zeiss KS400 used a Zeiss AxioCam color CCD camera
(1300.times.1030 pixels, 3 channel color, 8 bit per channel)
equipped with a 20 mm AF-Nikkor lens (f/2.8). The camera was
mounted vertically facing down onto a sample stage and had an
effective field of view was 97.times.80 mm. Incident sample stage
illumination was by four incandescent floodlamps (Sylvania) on a
double Variac (70%; 90%), resulting in an illuminance of
approximately 11,000 lux. The lamps were above the left and right
edges of the sample stage directed towards the field of view at
approximately 45 degrees.
Calibration
The camera black reference was with the lens cap on. The camera
white reference was a Polaroid 803 positive with 15 ms exposure. To
account for the warm color illumination bias of the floodlamps, the
red, green, and blue (RGB) values were offset using the white
selection tool in the KS400 software, resulting in corrected RGB
values that yielded a white image.
Sample Setup and Image Acquisition
Samples are placed on the stage (normal viewing angle) and under
1/4'' plate glass to minimize topographical effects. Images of the
color-bearing graphical portion are acquired at 15 ms exposure.
Image Analysis
Image analysis is performed in Matlab (v.6.5.1, release 13;
Mathworks, Inc) with the Image Processing Toolbox (v4.0). RGB
images were converted to hue, saturation, and value (HSV) space
using Matlab's hsv2rgb.m command. Choosing a saturation lower limit
of 0.05 (0-1 scale) resulted in practical detection of all the
colored/inked portions of the graphic. The hue, saturation, and
value (i.e. luminosity) densiometric distributions were calculated
for the detected regions in each image.
As an example, colors of different hues but with similar saturation
levels appear to be coordinated. As an example, pastel colors
appear to be coordinated, even though the hues are different.
Likewise, color of different hues but with similar luminosity or
vividness levels appear to be coordinated, with one another
Coordination in the present disclosure can also contain commonly
used color schemes that tend to harmonize or coordinate. That is,
the first and second visual color characteristics can be selected
to enhance the visual coordination in addition to having at least a
first and second color as the first and second visual
characteristics. Examples of these color schemes include, for
example, monochromatic color, complementary colors, analogous
colors, warm and cool colors, neutral colors, color contrast,
tetradic color scheme, triad color scheme or other chord color
schemes. Monochromatic color scheme uses one base color but varies
the color tint, shade and/or tone. Complementary colors are colors
that are opposite each other on a color wheel. Analogous colors are
colors that are adjacent each other on the color wheel. Warm and
cool color schemes use three colors, two of which are warm colors
and one is cool color or two cool colors and one warm color. Warm
colors are generally associated with fire and the sun, for example,
red, yellow and orange and cool colors are generally associated
with water, the sky and foliage, for example green, blue and
violet. Neutral color coordination includes using shades of black,
white, gray and beige together. Color contrast scheme include using
dark and light colors together. Tetradic is a four color scheme and
a triad color scheme is a three color scheme, both of which are
known to those skilled in the art. Any of these color schemes can
be used in the present disclosure to help coordinate and harmonize
two or more colors as the visual characteristics in the present
disclosure.
Coordination can be created by providing a theme on the absorbent
article and packaging component. Possible themes include, for
example, femininity, security, protection, or emotional themes such
as friendship, purity, natural among others.
Two patterns are considered coordinated when they have
substantially the same pattern elements, regardless of other
factors such as orientation. To gain a better understanding of how
patterns are considered to be coordinated within the scope of the
present disclosure, reference is made to FIGS. 9-12. In FIG. 9, an
element of an absorbent personal care product, in this case a peel
strip 28, is configured with a pattern 122. In the case shown, the
pattern is a pattern of ivy. FIG. 10 shows another element of an
absorbent person care product, in this case the packaging component
50, that is configured with a coordinated pattern 122 of ivy. The
patterns 122 are coordinated, i.e., substantially the same shape,
even thought they are of different sizes. Summarily, referring to
FIGS. 11 and 12, an element of the personal care product, a peel
strip 28, is configured with a pattern 126, 146 of tulips and
scrolls, while the packaging component 50 is configured with a
coordinated pattern 126, 146 of tulips and scrolls. The patterns
126, 146 are coordinated, i.e., substantially the same shape, even
though they are of different sizes and notwithstanding that
additional pattern elements 128, 130 are also present on the
packaging component 50. Stated another way, in the present
disclosure, two patterns are considered coordinated if the patterns
have the same or similar pattern elements, whether the patterns are
matched identically or similarly matched, by having the same
pattern but being of a different size. It is further noted that
patterns are considered coordinated if there are pattern elements
that are the same or similar, even if additional pattern elements
are present.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, there are at least two
different types of visual characteristics. One particular
combination is the use of color and pattern. As set forth above,
the more shared visual characteristics there are, the more
coordinated the personal care article and packaging component will
appear.
In the present disclosure, when color or patterns are used and are
printed, the color or pattern can be printed on the outer surface,
on an inner surface or between surfaces. For example, in the case
of the garment side outer cover, the color or pattern can be
applied to the side of the garment side outer cover that is
positioned during use adjacent the garment or can be applied to the
side of the garment side outer cover that is proximate the
absorbent core. Alternatively, if the garment side outer cover is a
multilayer structure, the color or pattern can be printed between
the layers. Another alternative for obtaining color or a pattern on
the personal care article is to apply any adhesive used to hold
layers of the absorbent article together with a colored adhesive or
to apply the adhesive in a pattern. The same is true with the
wrapper. The color or pattern can be applied to the outside surface
of the wrapper, on the inside surface of the wrapper or between
layers of the wrapper if the wrapper has multiply layers.
In order to obtain a better understanding of the present
disclosure, attention is directed to FIGS. 1-3. In these figures,
the packaging component 50 has at least a first and second visual
characteristic. For example, the wrapper 52, preferably an outer
surface 78 thereof including for example the back 62, second panel
66 and the portion of the first panel 64 not covered by the second
panel, can have a first color and the outer surface of the
fastening element 72 can have a second color, or the outer surface
of the wrapper 52 can have a plurality of colors, including a first
and second color. Alternatively, a portion or the entirety of the
outer surface of the wrapper 52 can have an embossed pattern or
printing applied thereto that can include one or more shapes.
Accordingly, in various exemplary aspects, the first visual
characteristic can be a color and the second visual characteristic
can be a different color, with one or both of the colors applied to
the wrapper and/or fastening element. In another aspect, the first
visual characteristic can be a color, and the second visual
characteristic can be an embossment, pattern, shape (e.g.,
fastening element) or side seal. In yet another aspect, the first
visual characteristic can be a first embossment, printing or dyeing
pattern and the second visual characteristic can be a second
embossment, printing or dyeing pattern.
Referring to FIG. 4, the bulk packaging component 76 also has at
least a first and second visual characteristic. For example, the
outer surface 80 of packaging component can have one or more
colors, printings, side seal configurations, etc. In a desired
aspect, the first and second visual characteristics of the bulk
packaging component are correspond to and are coordinated with the
first and second visual characteristics of the individual packaging
component.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the article component 10 also has at
least a first and second visual characteristic that correspond to
and are coordinated with the first and second visual
characteristics of one or both of packaging components 50, 76. For
example, a portion of one or more of the outer cover 46, peel strip
28, absorbent core 48, distribution layer 4 or tissue layer 6 has a
first visual characteristic, while another portion thereof, or
another element, has a second visual characteristic, with the first
and second visual characteristics corresponding to and being
coordinated with the first and second visual characteristics of one
or both of the packaging components. In various aspects, portions
of the absorbent core, surge layer and/or tissue layer, or any
other substrate disposed between the liner and outer cover, are
visible through the liner, which is at least partially see-through,
while in other layers such interior components might not be
visible. In addition, a body-side surface of the outer cover might
be visible through the liner and/or absorbent core on the body-side
surface of the absorbent article.
In one aspect, the outer cover 46 and the wrapper 52 are the same
first color, while the outer surface of the peel strip 28 and the
fastening element 72 are the same second color, meaning the colors
have similar hues or matched hues, saturation and/or luminosity, or
combinations thereof, as defined below. At the same time, the first
and second colors of the article component are different from each
other, meaning that the colors have different hues, saturation
and/or luminosity, or combinations thereof. In another aspect, the
outer cover 46 and the fastening element 72 are the same first
color, while the outer surface of the peel strip 28 and the wrapper
52 are the same color. The various colors include without
limitation white, black, yellow, orange, purple, green, red, blue,
and pink. In other aspects, one of the core 48, surge layer 4 and
tissue layer 6 are a first color, desirably non-white, that is
visible to the user through the liner 44 and that corresponds to a
first color of the wrapper 52, article component 76 and/or fastener
element 72. For example, the outer cover can be configured as a
purple, blue, pink or green, with the absorbent core being white or
some other different color, and with one or both of the surge layer
and tissue layer also being purple, blue, pink or green. At the
same time, one of the wrapper and fastening element are made
purple, blue, pink or green, with the other of the wrapper and
fastening element being white or the other different color. In
other aspects, one of the article and/or packaging components can
have a color gradient, wherein the color transitions from one color
to another, or one or more of the properties thereof changes over a
distance.
In other aspects, the liner, peel strip or outer cover are provided
with an embossment (i.e., macro-embossing that is discernable to
the user) or a printing or dyeing pattern that corresponds to an
embossment or printing pattern on the wrapper, fastening element or
packaging component.
Of course, it should be understood that the packaging components
52, 76 and article components 10 could have more than two
coordinated visual characteristics, including for example three
characteristics such as a pair of colors and an embossment and/or
printing/dyeing, or three colors, or any combination of the visual
characteristics set forth above or otherwise known in the art.
In one aspect, and referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the packaging
component 50 is made of a combination of blue fibers. The blue of
the fibers has a consistent hue but the process of adding the blue
to the fibers creates blue fibers of varying saturation. So, the
fibers appear to vary in vividness with some of the fibers almost
appearing white and the pouch appearing as a random assortment of
blues. This random assortment of blues allow the packaging
component 50 to coordinate to the various colors in the article
component 10 elements, for example a white peel strip 28 and blue
baffle 46. For example, in one aspect, the difference in the hue
between the outer surface of the baffle, which is blue, and the
pouch, which is blue, is 13.6 degrees and the difference in the
value (luminosity) is 0.6% of maximum.
This coordination also allows the packaging component to hide or
obscure the article component disposed therein. In essence, the
coordination leads the observer (standing 2 or more feet away--as
opposed to the user standing within 2 feet of the article) to
consider the packaging and article components as a single unit,
rather than as two separate units. Therefore, the observer has a
more difficult time distinguishing the pad within the pouch. In
this way, the coordination serves a dual purpose of providing a
more aesthetically appealing article to the user, while hiding the
article from observers or non-users.
Referring to FIGS. 7-12, different aspects of various article and
packaging components are shown with various coordinating visual
characteristics. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the absorbent
article 50 is shown as having a pattern of alternating strips 110,
112 of first and second colors. Likewise, the packaging component
50 has the same pattern of alternating strips 110, 112 in the same
colors. It should be understood that two patterns are coordinated
if they both have at least one substantially identical element, or
if the overall distribution of elements in a certain region is
substantially identical. Therefore, and for example, the patterns
of the article and packaging components in FIG. 7 are coordinated
in two ways, (1) each component has a substantially identical
element (e.g., one of the stripes 110, 112) and (2) both components
have a substantially identical distribution of elements 110, 112
thereover, i.e., a plurality of similarly dimensioned stripes
alternating in color. For example, a checker board pattern would be
coordinated by the shape of the individual elements (squares) as
well as by the overall distribution thereof (alternating colors and
positioning). It should be understood that for the first type of
pattern coordination (substantially identical elements), the
elements do not have to be of the same size or oriented in the same
orientation, but rather that they merely have substantially the
same shape. With the respect to the second type of pattern
coordination, the individual elements do not even have to have the
same shape, as long as the overall distribution is coordinated. It
should be understood that the article and packaging components 10
and 50, respectively, of FIG. 7 are also coordinated by way of the
colors of the stripes, which have one or more coordinated hues,
luminosities and saturation/vividness values.
Referring to FIG. 8, the article component 10 is coordinated with
the first packaging component 50 first by way of the colors of the
pattern element 120 and the pattern element 110 and second by way
of the color of the backsheet 46 and the pattern element 112. The
article component 50 is coordinated with the second packaging
component 118 first by way of the pattern elements 120, second by
way of the color of the pattern elements 120, and third by way of
the color of the backsheet 46 and color of the base sheet 140.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a peel strip 28 is configured with a
pattern 122 of ivy, while the packaging component 50 is configured
with a coordinated pattern 122 of ivy. As described above, the
patterns 122 are coordinated. The peel strip 28 is further
coordinated with the packaging component 10 by way of the color of
the pattern 122 on the peel strip with the color of the background
on the packaging component, which are both blue for example with
coordinated colors, including for example hues, saturations and/or
luminosities, or combinations thereof. Likewise, the color of the
background of the peel strip 28 is coordinated with the color of
the ivy pattern 122 on the packaging component.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a peel strip 28 is configured with a
pattern 126, 146 of tulips and scrolls, while the packaging
component 50 is configured with a coordinated pattern 126, 146 of
tulips and scrolls as described above. The peel strip 28 is further
coordinated with the packaging component 10 by way of the color of
the patterns 126, 146 on the peel strip with the color of the
background on the packaging component, which are both blue for
example with coordinated colors, including for example hues,
saturations and/or luminosities, or combinations thereof. Likewise,
the color of the background of the peel strip 28 is coordinated
with the color of the patterns 126, 146, 128 and 130 on the
packaging component.
FIGS. 15A and 15B show an exemplary product of the present
disclosure with coordinating pattern and color. FIG. 15A shows a
wrapper packaging component 50 having a pattern of flowers 127 that
have a color hue. FIG. 15B show an absorbent product 10 has a peel
strip 28 that has the same pattern of flowers 127 of the same hue.
As can be scene, the peel strip 28 and the packaging component have
a matched pattern.
FIGS. 16A and 16B show an exemplary product of the present
disclosure having an absorbent article 10 with a peel strip 28 and
a packaging component being caused to coordinate. FIG. 16A shows a
wrapper packaging component 50 having a pattern of flowers 127 that
have a color hue and a pattern or color 129 being used as the
background for the pattern of flowers 127. FIG. 16B show an
absorbent product 10 has a peel strip 28 that has the same pattern
of flowers 127 and same hue as the pattern of flowers on the
wrapper component 50. However, the peel strip does not have the
pattern or color 129 applied thereto. The baffle 22 does have the
pattern or color 129 applied thereto. As a result, the wrapper
component 50, with its pattern of flowers 127 and pattern or color
129, causes the peel strip 28 to coordinate with the pattern or
color 129 present on the baffle 22.
The coordination described above in reference to the FIGS. 1-12, 15
and 16 is merely used to show what is intended by coordination. The
present disclosure goes beyond what is specifically shown in the
FIGS. 1-12, 15 and 16. Other elements of the personal care article
can also be coordinated and types of coordinating features will be
described and coordination can be achieved using many different
color schemes. Ideally, its is beneficial to coordinate the
packaging and personal care article with objects, or items often
associated with positive life experiences within a users life, such
as floral displays in the case of feminine care articles. As is
discussed above, the visual characteristics can be imparted in
numerous ways including printing, embossing, bonding, aperturing,
among others.
Embossing is an effective way to impart texture and pattern visual
characteristics to a packaging component and absorbent article.
Embossing can be used to promote a feminine flair to the absorbent
articles without adding per unit cost to the articles produce,
unlike printing. In the present disclosure, embossing of the pouch
material enables a user to easily locate the pouch and absorbent
article combination when the pouch in located in a purse, backpack
or other similar personal object transporting means, when the
absorbent article is out-or-sight. The embossing can be placed on
the body facing side or garment side of the personal care article.
In addition, the same or similar coordinating embossing pattern can
be placed on the packaging component, including the outer packaging
component and the pouch. The embossing pattern can be a high
density embossing pattern, or a low density embossing pattern, both
of which can be registered or non-registered. For further feminine
flair, it is desirable that the embossing pattern be a soft pattern
like floral elements.
In selecting of the size of patterns applied to the
wrapper/packaging component, the following should be taken into
consideration. The size can be adjusted according to the visual
angle and the distance in which the object is viewed. Typically,
the threshold of pattern recognition is about 5 minutes of an arc.
Generally, it is desirable to have a visual angle in the range of
about 16 to 24 minutes of arc and usually 20-22 minutes of arc. The
size translated in linear dimensions for a pattern from the arc
dimensions is shown in FIG. 14. As can be seen in this as the
distance from a pattern increases, the size of the pattern or
object must increase. Typically, there three regions for viewing
personal care articles. Region 1 is less than two feet, in which
the personal care article is typically only seen by the user of the
personal care article. Region 2 is between two and three feet and
is a region in which both the user and non-user of the personal
care article can view the personal care article. Region 3 is beyond
three feet, in which the personal care article is typically only
viewed by a non-user. Therefore, selecting the size of the pattern
on the personal care article or packaging should be made taking
into account FIG. 14, depending if it is desirable for a non-user
to see the pattern on the packaging or personal care article.
However, from the standpoint of older users, the size of the
pattern might need to be increased beyond that which is shown in
FIG. 14 for the pattern to be visible.
Another factor to consider in selection of color and a pattern is
the contrast limits between the pattern and the adjacent
surroundings. If the contrast is not sufficient, then the pattern
might not be viewable, even if it is with the size requirements
shown in FIG. 14. Generally, the contrast needs to be at least 0.05
on a scale of 0 to 1 in order for a pattern to be visible. 0 is no
contrast and 1 is maximum contrast.
Patterns can be more discrete if the pattern is less linear and
less perpendicular. In current package and personal care article
configurations. Generally, when it comes to incontinence pad and
liners and feminine care pads and liners, the silhouettes of or
marking on the pads or liners can be visible through the packaging.
To make the silhouette and marking more discrete, patterns could be
placed on the packaging component in the regions where the pad or
liners are visible through the packaging or patterns could be
placed on the pad or liner to help hide the silhouette of the pad
or liner. By having the pattern on the personal care article being
the same as the pattern of the patterns on the pad or liner tends
to blend in with pattern on the packaging component.
Another way to coordinate the article component and the packaging
component is to provide a common shape (other than a straight line)
to both the article and the packaging component. While absorbent
articles have shapes that make them useful for their intended
purpose, some components or aspect of the absorbent article have
shapes that can be varied without determent to the functionality of
the absorbent article. For example, the peel strip that protects
the garment adhesive can have shapes at the end that are scalloped,
sine wave or any other shape. Likewise, the side edges of the peel
strip can also be shaped. Another element of the absorbent
component such as the surge layer or tissue layer that is
positioned between the absorbent core and the body side liner. The
surge layer or tissue layer can also be shaped with a similar shape
as the peel strip described above. It is noted that only one of the
peel strip or surge/tissue layer needs to be shaped in order to
coordinate with the packaging component. On the packaging
component, especially the end of the second panel on the pouch, the
sides of the pouch, or the ends or sides of the wrapper can also be
shaped with the same shape with identical dimensions or that is
proportional to the dimensions of the shape of the peel strip
and/or distribution layer/tissue layer. Other elements of the
absorbent component or the packaging component can be similar
shapes, provided that the functionality of the absorbent article or
packaging component is not compromised. In addition, shaping the
peel strip and or end of the second panel of the wrapper component
can have additional benefits of aiding the user in locating the
peel strip or opening of the packaging component.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the wrapper component
is does not have any visual characteristics that are coordinated
thereon. However, the wrapper component appears to be coordinated
and matched to the absorbent article. In this aspect of the present
disclosure, the wrapper component is clear or translucent, such
that the visual characteristics on the absorbent article are
visible through the wrapper component. In the case of color as the
visual characteristic, and with a translucent wrapper component,
the hue of the visible color will be the same but the saturation
and luminosity will be different.
In some aspects, the article and packaging components can also be
coordinated by other sensory characteristics, for example touch and
smell. For example, the packaging component can have the same
texture as the article component, so as to provide a coordinated
tactile characteristic. In some aspects, the tactile characteristic
is formed by an embossment, or different embossments. Similarly,
separate pieces of the same type of material can be applied to the
article and packaging components.
By coordinating the packaging component and the personal care
articles, many benefits can be obtained. First, the coordination
allows for thinner and cheaper wrapper/packaging components to be
used. When the personal care article and the wrapper/packaging have
the same color or pattern, especially on the garment side outer
cover and/or peel strip, and the same color or pattern is on the
wrapper/packaging, it is more difficult to discern what the
contents of the wrapper are. Therefore, coordination of the
wrapper/packaging with the personal care article helps disguise the
personal care article in the thinner wrapper/packaging component.
Second, the coordination of the wrapper/packaging with the personal
care article can provide an emotional benefit to the user and allow
the products to fit into a user's life. Items that appear to be
designed together makes the user more confident in using the
products since the coordination makes the overall product of higher
quality as compared to uncoordinated products.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, the visual
characteristics can be connected to other senses, such as smell and
feel. That is, the color or pattern can contain a floral color or a
floral pattern. A scent can associated with the color or pattern
can be applied to the article or packaging. For example, a purple
color or a pattern of lavender flowers could be associated with a
lavender scent.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference
to various aspects, those skilled in the art will recognize that
changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the
spirit and scope of the disclosure. As such, it is intended that
the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative
rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including
all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of
the disclosure.
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